URGENT AND PRIVATE INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR

Syphilis BENZATHINE G Treatment Patient Instructions

You are being treated for . Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that you can get from having any kind of sex (oral, vaginal, anal) with a person who already has it. Syphilis is divided into stages (primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary). There are different associated with each stage. Left untreated, syphilis can affect the heart, brain, and other organs of the body. Syphilis can also be passed from a mother to her unborn child and be harmful to the baby.

Syphilis can have no symptoms. When there are symptoms, they can include: • • Fever • Swollen lymph nodes • Visual changes • Painless sores

You are being given an injection of a medication called Benzathine penicillin G (sometimes known as “Pen G”) to treat your syphilis. People can have more than one STD at the same time, Benzathine penicillin G will not cure other infections.

The medicine is very safe. However, DO NOT TAKE IT if any of the following are true: • or a history of • You have fever • You have ever had a bad reaction such as a rash, breathing problems, or allergic reaction after taking Benzathine penicillin G or other antibiotics. People who are allergic to some antibiotics may be allergic to other types of antibiotics. If you do have allergies to antibiotics, you should check with your healthcare provider before taking this medicine. • You have a serious long-term illness, such as kidney, heart, or liver disease. • You are currently taking other prescription medication.

If any of these circumstances exist, or if you are not sure, DO NOT take this medication. Instead, you should talk to your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Your health care provider will find the best treatment for you.

If you are pregnant, it is safe to take Benzathine penicillin G, it is also recommended to consult your health care provider.

Possible side effects (these are not all of the side effects that may occur): • Fever • Diarrhea • Chills • Dizziness • Achy pain • Blurred vision • Headache • Fatigue • Nausea/vomiting • Yeast infection

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately if you have signs or symptoms that might be related to a very bad side effect including, but not limited to: • Difficulty breathing/tightness in the chest • Closing of your throat • Swelling of your lips or tongue • (bumps or welts on your skin that intensely)

Now that you have your medication, do not have sexual contact (oral, vaginal, anal) until treatment is completed and blood tests indicate the infection has been cured. If you have sex before the infection is cured you can still pass the infection on to your sex partners and you can also get re-infected yourself.

Next steps:

• If you have any other sex partners, tell them you are getting treated for syphilis, so they can get treated too. • You may need more than one dose of Benzathine penicillin G. • You will need to be retested in 6 months or less. • People who are infected with syphilis once are very likely to get it again, it is a good idea to get tested after each partner. • If you have any questions about the medicine, syphilis or other STDs, please call your local health department. • Use a barrier method (condoms and dental dam) to prevent future infections. Free condoms are available at www.KnoWyo.org .

For low or no cost testing please visit: www.KnoWyo.org Updated 5/25/2021